Student Blog: Worldbuilding is a lot

I am happy to report that I have officially started writing my novel.

Since I am on a very brief holiday and it being winter, icy cold, windy and rain, I thought that I should use this time to start to create my novel.

I am a couple of weeks into working on it and it is both exciting and exhausting. I have no plot or anything at this point in tinge but I have been constructing.

I have spent the past couple of weeks building a world, the world that my story will be set in. I have been creating the ideal setting and placement for my story. I thought worldbuilding would be fun but wow, is it not exhausting.

As I type this, I have drawn out a map of my fantasy world. I have created magical factions and I have distinguished what each country is. In addition to this, I have my five protagonists planned.

My novel officially has a rough outline.

I have created a foundation for this entire world that I am creating.

So, basically what worldbuilding is constructing a fictional world. This includes describing the terrain, the climate, the economy, the people and its history. I really did not think it would be a fast process but I am going slower than a tortoise at this point. But all good things take time.

I am trying to create an inclusive world that represents those who may have never seen themselves represented. I am so excited to actually start writing this novel. I have a really good feeling about it, despite not having any idea what the plot is.

The Worldbuilding is exhausting but when I look back at what I have done so far, it makes me so excited. I have been getting assitance for the novel from two of my closest friends from university and I am so appreciative for them and their assistance. They keep me grounded and remind me of limits and potential.

I find it rather funny how I am trying to create a world that I can't even draw. I know what I want it to look like and I have drawn an atlas but something doesn't look right. I have learnt that this is a process and will be a very long journey. I am very finicky about things, so even when it comes to naming a character I take maybe three hours to find the right name that suits the story's aesthetic and has a meaning that fits the character. Practicing patience is what I am doing.

I don't think I will get much more done on this novel since term starts soon but for now it was really fun to just create without any pressure or judgement.

I foresee this novel having a first draft probably in three or four years. I wonder if people do actually just write quickly. I mean I feel like I would get more done if I was only focusing on the novel but anyways, I shall repeat it until I believe it: all good things take time.